EFL to be given clear Sheffield Wednesday points deduction demand - Mike Ashley 'attempting deal' | OneFootball

MP Clive Betts says Sheffield Wednesday should not receive a further 15-point deduction

Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts has weighed in on the news that his local football club, Sheffield Wednesday, could face a further 15-point deduction.

The Owls have endured an extremely tough campaign, thanks to the financial wrongdoing committed by former owner Dejphon Chansiri, who plunged them into administration.

Henrik Pedersen's side remain on -7 points following their mid-week defeat at Norwich City, and were relegated to League One when they were beaten by fierce rivals Sheffield United last Sunday.

Meanwhile, James Bord's Wednesday takeover collapsed, meaning that the Owls will remain in administration for even longer.

MP Clive Betts reveals stance as Sheffield Wednesday could face further 15-point deduction

Sheffield Wednesday have been deducted 18 points this term, thanks to Chansiri, and the Owls could receive a further 15-point deduction if the new preferred bidder for the club does not meet the EFL's requirement for 25p in the pound for creditors.

Weighing in on that situation, Betts told BBC Radio Sheffield: "One thing I'm going to work with the Supporters' Trust on immediately, whoever the preferred bidder is, is to say to the EFL, 'This club has been through so much.'

"You can't now seriously expect any new owner to pay money to Chansiri after what he's done to our club. And to threaten that owner with a points deduction if they don't pay him.

"So, I think there's a big effort there to make sure, no more points deductions, no more money to Chansiri, we've simply had enough of the past and want to move forward."

Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley remains interested in a Wednesday takeover and is also attempting a deal with the EFL to avoid a 15-point deduction.

Meanwhile, David Storch is still keen on a Wednesday bid, and told BBC Sheffield's Rob Staton before the Bord deal collapsed: "We remain incredibly passionate about the opportunity at Sheffield Wednesday and seeing the club return to its former glory.

"We wish the preferred bidder well through the process, but are ready to step in should the opportunity present itself again. We know all are disappointed by relegation, yet wish the team well as they finish the current season."

Either Storch or Ashley, depending on who is named as the preferred bidder, would soon be subject to the EFL's Owners' and Directors' test, while the Independent Football Regulator will have the power to ratify any takeover by May.

Amid the known interest from Storch and Ashley, three parties contacted Wednesday's administrators following the news of Bord's collapsed deal.

Clive Betts comments will likely help Sheffield Wednesday

Wednesday's struggles in recent weeks and months have been well documented, and the footballing world has voiced its sympathy towards the Owls.

However, there is no doubt that Betts' recent comments have shed further light on the situation, which will help the South Yorkshire outfit in the long-run, and puts pressure on the EFL when deciding whether to further punish them.

Wednesday are a major community asset in their half of Sheffield, hence why MP Betts has weighed in on the situation, in the hope that his comments will be impactful.